Control switch unit and circuit for baseball games



Sept. 14, 1954 D. E. HOOKER CONTROL SWITCH UNIT AND CIRCUIT FOR BASEBALLGAMES Filed July 19, 1950 RUNNER 6 m 76/153 Rum/[R COIL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1ROM r Jim/e72 farx J a/d Eflaaker Se t. 14, 1954 D. E. HOOKER 2,689,129

CONTROL SWITCH UNIT AND CIRCUIT FOR BASEBALL GAMES Filed July 19, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 2 ju/nfarx Zonala E flaoker Sept. 14, 1954 D. E. HOOKER2,639,129

CONTROL SWITCH UNIT AND CIRCUIT F'QR BASEBALL GAMES Filed July 19, 19503 Sheets-Sheet 3 RUNNER SWITCHES JJD RUNNER lv/Pskq I72 z/'nzorx .DonaZdZ, Lffooier Patented Sept. 14, 1954 CONTROL SWITCH UNIT AND CIRCUIT FORBASEBALL GAMES DonaldE. Hooker, Skokie, Ill., assignor to Raymond T.Moloney, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 19, 1950, Serial No. 174,631

13 Claims. 1

This invention has as its principal object the provision of a controlunit and circuit for game and amusement apparatus.

While the novel control unit is susceptible of numerous otherapplications and embodiments, in the form shown it is especially adaptedfor use in conjunction with a baseball game in which it controls scoreand indicating lamps to portray the progress of a base runner, and scorevalues, on an illuminated panel.

More detailed objects pertain to the provision, of a control unitincluding a set of switches mounted to rotate on a carrier driven by amotor, electromagnets especially located along the travel of the carrierto actuate the switches under certain conditions, means releasablyholding any actuated switch in such condition, and a device for trippingout the actuated switches as the carrier moves past a, certain position.

Further objects relate to the location of base switches at four pointson a rotating carrier disc in analogy to the four base positions in abaseball game; to the location of four switch-actuating electromagnetsat similarly analogous positions; to a certain arrangement of permanentmagnets for holding the base switches actuated; to the contrivance of astationary cam for tripping out any held switches as the disc rotates;and to certain circuit connections for the control unit as applied to abaseball game, for efiecting travel of the carrier different distancescorresponding to one-two-three or home-run scores by the player.

Still further objects relate to the provision of a control unit havingcyclically traveling switches moved past stationary operating magnetsand stationary releasing means all situated in critical predeterminedcontrol positions relative to an index position,- and a plurality ofrotary control switch wipers connected for operation by the travelingswitches for control purposes having a functional relation to theangular displacement of the traveling switches relative to said indexposition.

Ancillary to the last-mentioned object is the provision of a rotarycontrol switch variously connectable in a circuit by some of the'carrierswitches, and rotating in step with the carriers, for establishing acertain repetitious sequence of connections no matter what the startingposition of the carriers happens to be Another object is the provisionof means for indexing the carriers in desired starting or stoppingpositions.

Another object is the provision of a switch 2 tions, which may be partlyor entirely repeated, by a cyclically traveling switch structure whichdoes not require return to any particular start- 'ing position for thepurpose.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the control unit;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the control unit;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section through the control unitlooking in the direction of lines 6-6 of Fig. 3, and showing inelevation the four base-running switches;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional detail (with parts shown inelevation) through one or" the switch carrier discs showing parts of aholding switch in inverted position and looking in the directionof linesI-I of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail through one of the mounting plates of theunit showing one of the switch-tripping cams.

The novel control unit is described in conjunction with a ball-rollinggame of the sort depicted in Fig. 1 wherein the player propels one ormore balls onto a playing field II] by manipulation of a ball projectorII, with the object of striking scoring targets, such as theconventional bumper switches I2.

The illustrative game may have a baseball diamond portrayed on the playfield I0, and the bumpers I2 may be arranged at base, infield, andoutfield positions, as at I2, IZA, IZB, I2C etc.

Suitable translucent scoring indicia may be arranged on the glassback-box or score panel I3, as at I4; and, in addition, a-representationI-IA of the baseball diamond is provided and arranged in known manner tobe illuminated from behind by sequentially energized lamps to depictwith some simulated animation the movements or progress of a ball playeralong bases I5, ISA, I53, I56 on the diamond, the score and animatinglamps being controlled by the scoring action of the played balls onbumpers I2.

Referring to Fig. 3, the control unit consists of a motor 20 driving ashaft 2| through reduction gears.

Fast at opposite ends of the shaft are carrier discs 22 and 23 on whichare positionally spotted and mounted special hold-in switches. Disc 22is also seen in Fig. 4 and disc 23 in Fig. 5.

For example, on the forward disc 22 there are four such switches 24, 25,26, 21 (Fig. 4) spotted quadrantally around the disc.

The hold-in switches are of the construction detailed in Fig. 7, and areof the type variously known as leaf-spring, stack, or jack switches,consisting of two or more spring contact blades 24A, 243.

The hold-in switches are of novel construction in respect of theirholding and releasing means, the upper contact blades, such as 2413,each having a ferromagnetic armature 24C secured thereon to projectbeyond the body ofthe carrier disc so as to overlie a permanent magnetslug 24D fixed therebelow on the carrier, as well as the pole face 24Fof an electromagnet such as that indicated at 24E.

In the embodiment illustrated, there are four of the hold-in switches oneach of the carriers 22 and 23; and there is one holding magnet oi thepermanent type 24D beneath each switch armature 24C, 250, etc. Likewise,there are four of the electromagnets 24E, 25E, etc. associated with theswitches on disc 22, but only one such electromagnet 34 associated withthe four switches 3|), 3|, 32, 33 on carrier disc '23, although each ofthe latter switches is providedwith a permanent-type holding magnet D,3|D 33D.

Each carrier disc has fixedly mounted adjacent thereto cam means 22A or23A, respectively, for tripping out or releasing any held switch, thismeans being in the form of a cam bracket over which the armatureelements, such as 240, ride during each cycle of travel, whereby thearma tures are successively forced away from their holding magnets inthose instances where they are in held condition.

As viewed in Fig. 5, there is mounted on one of the unit base plates, acarry-over switch 4|! including spring contacts 40A and 40B biasedtoclose, there being an offset riding nose 400 which rides on any offour duadrantally spaced studs 4|, MA, ME, MG fixed on the inside faceof carrier disc 23.

The purpose of the carry-over switch is to assure at least 90displacements or steps of the carriers, upon each starting of the motor,as .1

will appear more fully hereinafter.

Animation switch means 'for producing some of the lighting effects tosimulate action on the glass panel |3 is shown in Fig. 6 and includes astationary contact panel mounted behind the carrier disc 23, and havingarranged in a circle thereon a series of contact buttons generallydesignated by the reference 46, adapted to be engaged by fourquadrantally arranged baserunner wiper-contact blades 30X, 3|X, 32X, and33X, mounted on the underside of disc 23, each of the latter bladesbeing respectively connected to one of the contacts of the correspondingone of the base-runnerswitches 30, 3|, 32, 33 on the correspondingcarrier disc 23, as will more fully appear in the circuit diagram. Thus,the several wipers 30X 33X all rotate with the carrier 23.

It will be observed in Fig. 4 that an annular contact 48 is fixed'on apanel behind the other carrier disc 22 and this ring is engaged by awiper contact 49 to complete connection for the four hit switches 24,25, 26, 21.

By way of general summary, it will now appear from the structuraldescription of the control unit that there are two jointly rotatableswitch-carrier discs 22 and 23; and that each disc has four quadrantallyspaced switches thereon; and that each said switch is provided with apermanent-magnet holding means; and, while the hit switches on the disc22 each have associated therewith a corresponding electromagnet as anactuator, the four base-runner switches on the other disc 23 have onlyone such electromagnet (34) for actuating the same.

In the illustrative operation of the game control unit, if the playerscores a single or onebase hit, the carrier discs will advance onlyonequarter revolution or and for a two-base hit will effect an advanceof etc, according to the circuit control features and operations now tobe described.

Referring to the circuit diagram of Fig. 2, the baseball game issupplied with a main electrical power connection via power conductors5|], 5|, the latter including in circuit a known form of master controlswitch 52 (e. g. a coin-operated switch) used to condition the game fora round of play.

For simplicity, the ball-bumper switches for only the four-basepositions are shown at 12W, I2X, I2Y, |2Z; and each of these is closableto connect power from conductor 58 to one of the hit coils 24E, 25E,26E, or 21E, depending upon which ball bumper or bumpers l2, |2A, etc.(respectively associated with the switches HEW' |2Z) the player succeedsin hitting.

The closure of any ball switch |2W |2Z not only energizes thecorresponding hit coil 24E 21E, but also energizes the so-called runnercoil 34, which is in series with all hit coils in the return powercircuit connection 53 to power lead 5|.

The power circuit for the motor 25 is indexed through the carry-overswitch 46 so as to stop the motor and carriers always at one of thequadrantal positions, and also finally to stop the carrier discs alwaysat an index or normal starting position at the end of each revolution orcycle of travel.

Thus, one of the base-runner switches such as 30 will always be stoppedin alignment with the electromagnet 34, as indicated by the full-linearrow in Fig. 2.

If we now assume that the player has hit ball switch I2W, the hit coil24E will be energized to close the hit switch 24, which will be heldclosed by its permanent magnet 24D, with a resultant establishment of apower circuit for motor 20 from line 50, wiper and ring 48-49, viaconductor 54, now-closed switch 24, and conductors 55 and 56 to powerline 5|.

The carrier discs 22, 23 now take joint motion, but the hit switch 24would travel only about 40 before encountering the trip cam 22A, whichwould open the motor circuit save for the fact that the carry-overswitch 40 will at this time be closed for the duration of at least 90 oftravel of the carrier 23, so that while hit switch 24 will promptly berestored to open condition after the carriers begin their travel, suchtravel will nevertheless continue at least for a full quarter phase ofthe cycle, or until the carryover switch encounters the next of thestuds 4 IA.

Simultaneously with the foregoing starting of the carrier advance, therunner coil 34 was also energized to close the first runner switch 30 tocomplete a power circuit from the indicated ground via now-closed runnerswitch 30 to wiper 30K, and thence successively to the contacts 46,

, 46A, 46B, and 460, each of which is connected to one of the animatinglamps, generally indicated at L, and which are arranged at and betweenthe base positions behind the pictorial representation I4A of thebaseball diamond on the glass cabinet back-panel !3 (Fig. l).

In the foregoing example, the wiper 30X would travel only 90 and come torest on the lamp contact 460, corresponding to first base, afterflashing the preceding lamps for animation.

Now, the rotation of the carrier 23, as viewed in Fig. 5, isanticlockwise, and it will be observed that the starting position of thefirst base-runner switch 30 was opposite the magnet 34, so that beforethis switch 30 can be tripped-out, the carrier will have to travelnearly 320 beforeswitch 30 is brought around to the tripping cam 35A;and therefore the aforesaid circuit condition will be held to leave thelamp at first-base position illuminated by wiper 30X lodged on contactbutton 46C.

Meanwhile, the carry-over switch will have been opened at the end of thefirst 90 of travel of the carrier, and the control unit is ready for thenext play, wth the first base hit switch 24 now restored or open, thecarry-over switch 40 again open, the first runner switch 30 held closedby its permanent magnet 30D, and wiper 30X on contact 460 holding thelamp at first base illuminated.

In the case where the player scores a double the operation is similarexcept that the second hit coil 25E would be energized to cause thecarrier to advance one-half revolution from index position, and abase-runner 3! X would come to rest on contact 46F to illuminate thelamp L at second base; or, in the case of a triple on contact 461 toilluminate the lamp'at third base.

If a home run is scored the hit switch 21, which is farthest removed,angularly, from the tripping cam, will hold the motor circuit closeduntil the first three lugs 4 IA, MB, 410 (Fig. 5) have passed thecarry-over switch 40, following which, at about 40 from indexpositionsaid home run hit switch 21E will trip out, but the carry-overswitch will complete the cycle and can be opened by the fourth lug 4! atfull index position.

Scoring of runs is effected when a hot or energized base runner wiper30X 33X passes over one of the last contacts, such as 46K, beforereaching the fourth or home plate base button, whereby to energize theadvancing coil 60 of a known type of run counter 6!, via conductor 62,63, said counter being automatically reset after each game by knownmeans, It should be noted in Fig. 2 that the home-run button #4 isrepeated since the illustration is linear, whereas the actual contactlayout is circular (Fig. 6).

The novel control unit lends itself to the provision of a variety ofadditional scoring features for plays and situations encountered inbaseball, by reason of the fact that heretofore it has been necessary toemploy complicated circuits involving numerous control switches andrelays for the purpose of holding and advancing the conditions of theanimating, indicating, and scoring circuits from one play to the next,so that any such game affording realistic and analogously simulatedplayer action was costly to manufacture, service, and operate, whereasthe present control unit, by employing a novel traveling multiplexswitch structure with selective actuating, holding, and tripping means,and selfgoverning index and cycling circuits, makes it possibletoeliminate many relays and switches andto produce a less costly, simpler,and more reliable game.

It is preferable, in a baseball tpe of game, to leave thelast-awardedscore standing until the next round of play, and to this end, clearingof a previous score (as indicated by lamps L) may be effected byinitiating a full 360 or homerun travel of the carriers while disablingthe lamp and run counter circuits.

Accordingly, the initial operation of the master switch 52 alwaysmomentarily impulses a clearing relay 54, which closes contacts 54A, inparallel with the home-run game switch contacts IZZ, cycling the motorfor a full 360 travel.

In addition, the clearing relay 54 opens its normally closed contacts54B in series with the common feed from power line lead 5|, so that therun counter 6| will be temporarily disabled.

Since the power connection to the clearing relay through the initiallyclosed master switch 52 looks itself through its hold contacts 540 andcommon motor power lead connection 48-49- 55, this holding circuit willbe broken, and the clearing relay will drop out, when the motor circuitis opened as the 360 clearing cycle is com pleted.

One of the important features of the new control, switch should now beapparent, namely, the fact that it does not require return to anyparticular starting or homing position to repeat the establishment of asequence of circuits which corresponds to the selected operation of anyof the so-called hit switches.

To illustrate: the starting position of the carriers need not be thatshown in Figs. 4 and 5 to produce the sequence of scoring operations inthe examples of one-, two-, and three-base hits given hereinabove;instead of the runner switch 30 being aligned with the magnet 34 in Fig.5, any of the remaining three switches 3|, 32, or 33, could have beenopposite magnet 34 and the scoring results described would have been thesame, the only qualification being that it is assumed that none of theswitches shall be in held (by the permanent magnet) condition when thescoring operation is started.

Accordingly, it becomes possible, for example. in the first operation(by closing switch. lZW) to energize the lamps sequentially from home(Fig. 2) to 1st base (a single), and hold the let-base lamp energized atcontacts 46C; and then immediately thereafter to sequentially illuminateall of the lamps L from home to 1st base, then to 2d base, and then to3rd base, by closure of switch IZX, where the second batter scores adouble or two-base hit, thus simulating the advance of the player (whowas left at 1st base in the first play) to 2d and then on to 3rd, whileleaving the second batter on 2d base.

Regardless of what index position happens to be'occupied at thebeginning of the last-mentioned example, the stated sequence ofswitching events will occur so long as all of the so-called hit andrunner switches are normalized (i. e. tripped-out or open) before switch12W is closed.

Prior devices of this class have commonly required relays and relativelcomplicated stepping switches and wiring conne ions to hold the gainsfor the preceding players while advancing the succeeding players toproper base positions.

The illustrative circuit has been simplified to the utmost to illustrateone commercial application of the new unit, but it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that such a control device can be utilized innumerous other applications.

For example, the number of carriers 22, 23, as well as the number orlocation of hold (hit 1' runner) switches, and actuating coils E1 or 34,etc, therefor may be enlarged or decreased to modify the control circuitpossibilities; and the number and relative distribution of indexing orcarry-over switches and lugs may be expanded or re-arranged from avariety of control conditions, all within the contemplation of thepresent disclosures, and all such adaptations and modi-- fications ofthe device are intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a control switch, a carrier movable relative to and from an indexposition, electrical means for moving said carrier, index switch meansconnected with said moving means and having operating means actuated bythe carrier for con trolling operation of said electrical means andgoverning movement of the carrier in fixed steps relative to said indexposition, an electromagnetically operable switch carried by the carrier,a stationary electromagnet adjacent the carrier and path of travel ofsaid last-mentioned switch for actuating the latter when the carrier isin a ccrtam position, means on the carrier automatically operable tohold said last-mentioned switch actuated, and means dependent onmovement of said held switch by the carrier past a certain position forreleasing the held switch from actuated condition.

2. A control switch according to claim 1 and further characterized bythe provisionof a multi-- contact switch including a rotary contactormovable in step with said carrier and connected in a control circuit bysaid electromagnetically ope able switch responsive to actuation thereofas aforesaid.

3. In an electrical control device, a cyclically traveling carrier, aplurality of switches movable with the car,- e and each having anoperating armature, stationary magnetic means positioned alongthe travelof said carrier for moving said armature and operating said switches attimes when the armatures thereof are in juxtaposition with said magneticmeans as an incident to positioning of the carrier in certain phases ofits travel, and magnetic means movable with said carrier for releasablyholding desired ones of said switches in operated condition on operationas aforesaid, together with means for releasing any switch held asaforesaid.

a. Circuit control means for a baseball game of the known type whichincludes a plurality of game-operated switches, and indicating lightsfor illumination at four base positions, at least, and for animatingpurposes between said positions to indicate base-running, said circuitmeans comprising: a pair of switch carriers and motor means energizablefor joint rotation of said carriers, at least four quadrantally spacedswitches on each carrien'at least four quadrantally spaced station-- arymagnets for operating a first set of said switches on one of saidcarriers, one stationary magnet for operating a second set of saidswitches on the other carrier as a result of movement of the latter toposition any of said switches of the second set relative to said onemagnet, circuit means including a carry-over switch operated by means ona carrier, said game switches, and said first set of switches, and thecorresponding magnets, for energizing said motor to produce a cycle oftravel of the carriers or quadrantal fractions thereof, depending uponwhich of said game switches is operated in scoring one, two, three, orfour base awards, and circuit means including a rotary switch operatedjointly with the other said carrier and including connections with saidswitches thereon and said lights, for indicating movements of saidcarriers corresponding to said awards, magnet means for holding any ofthe switches in either said set operated, means operating automaticallydepending on movements of said carriers predetermined amounts forreleasing held switches of said sets, one at a time, and circuit meansincluding said carry-over switch for indexing said carriers during eachcycle of travel thereof to a certain starting position.

5. In a control switch of the class disclosed, a rotary carrier andmeans for rotating the same, a switch on said carrier and having amagnetically attractable member movable by attraction to ac tuate theswitch, an electromagnet positioned adjaoent said carrier and along theangular path of travel of said attractable member for energization toattract the latter and actuate the switch at a time when the carrier isin position to dis pose said attractable part to the eilectiveattractive effort of said electromagnet, a permanent magnet on thecarrier adjacent said zit-tractable member to hold the latter inattracted position, and a tripping cam situated along path of travel forengagement by said attractable mem her in attracted position and forforcing said member out of held relation with said permaner magnet.

6. A selecting switch including rotary carrier means, switch meansincluding plural switch members, and mounted to move with said carriermeans, and having magnetically attract-able actuating means movabletherewith, stationary magnet means i'or actuating said carrier switchmeans selectively depending upon the angular position of said actuatingmeans of the latter relative to said magnet means, means mounted totravel with said carrier means for automatically and releasably holdingany actuated carrier switch means in actuated condition, stationarymeans engaged intermittently by the carrier switch means as an incidentto movement of the carrier means to release any held carrier switchmeans, motor means for rotating said carrier means, and index switchmeans cooperable with said motor means and certain members of saidcarrier switch means for starting and stopping the carrier means atpredetermined index positions in which certain switch members of saidcarrier switch means are always positioned relative to said magnet meansfor selective action by the latter, as aforesaid, and rotary switchmembers mounted for movement in step with said carrier means andselectively connected for control operation by certain switch members ofsaid carrier switch means.

7. Circuit control means for a baseball game including a set of lightsto be illuminated in a certain order to simulate a movement aspect ofthe game, said means including: a rotary switch device including aplurality of rotatable wipers and stationary contacts successivelyengaged thereby and connected with said lights, said device furtherincluding four normally open runner switches spaced thereon at certainindex positions and each connected in an energizing circuit for one ofsaid wipers and all fixed to travel in step with the latter; a drivingmotor for said rotary switch device, the latter further including fournormally open hit switches spaced thereon at said index positions andfixed to travel in step with said runner switches and each connected ina motor circuit for energizing the motor; hold means actingautomatically to releasably hold closed any of said runner and hitswitches which are actuated to closed condition; an actuating armatureassociated and movable with each said runner and hit switch and eachmagnetically attractable to actuate the associated switch to closedcondition; a single runner coil situated at a certain index stationadjacent the path of the armatures or said runner switches forenergization to attract any runner-switch armature disposed injuxtaposition therewith in certain of the several indexed positions ofthe rotary switch device; four hit coils each situated at a certainindex station adjacent the path of the hit-switch armatures forenergization to attract any of the latter disposed in juxtapositiontherewith in any of the indexed positions of the switch device; circuitconnections including a game switch connected for operation in playingthe game to energize any one of said hit coils jointly with said runnercoil, whereby to energize said motor and one of said lights, at least,and index switch means including parts mounted to rotate in step withsaid runner and hit switches and connected in the circuit with saidmotor and hit switches for stopping the motor to position said rotaryswitch device in said indexed positions.

8. In a game including a series of animating lights to be illuminated ina certain order, and game switches operable to cause such illumination,circuit control means comprising: a rotary switch carrier; a motor forrotating said carrier; a plurality of wipers driven by the motor in stepwith the carrier over a series of relatively stationary contacts eachconnected with one of said lights; a plurality ofelectromagnetically-operated runner switches at index positions on saidcarrier and each. connected in a power circuit with one of said wipersfor energizing said lights through a particular wiper; a plurality ofelectromagnetically-operated hit switches at index positions on saidcarrier and each connected in a power circuit to energize said motor;index switch means driven by said motor in step with said carrier andincluding circuit connection with each hit switch to stop the carrier atany of a plurality of predetermined index positions; electromagnetichit-- switch operating means situated adjacent said carrier at each saidindex position for cooperation with a hit-switch aligned therewith byeach indexed positioning of the'carrier; electromagnetically-operatedrunner-switch operating means situated at only one index positionadjacent said carrier for cooperation successively with said runnerswitches as the latter are aligned therewith by movements of the carrierinto said indexed positions; an operating circuit for each hit-switchoperating means, each said last-mentioned circuit including at least onegame switch and said runner-switch operating means; holding means on thecarrier for each hit and runner switch to releasably hold the same inoperated condition; and stationary holdrelease means situated at certainpredetermined release positions adjacent the carrier for engagement witha part on each said hit and runner switch to move and restore the latterto nonoperated condition as a result of movement of the carrier and saidhit and runner switches past said release positions, whereby said lightscan be illuminated and extinguished as a result of indexed movements ofthe carrier under control of said game switches.

9. A control unit comprising a rotatable switch-carrier and controlcircuit means carried thereby; motor means for rotating said carrier;normally open control-switch means carried by said carrier and includingmagneticallyattractable operating armature means therefor movable intoand out of predetermined attracted position to close the control-switchmeans; permanent magnet means mounted adjacent said armature means forattractively holding the latter in said predetermined position;electromagnetic means mounted stationary relative to said carrier inposition to be magnetically close to said armature means for operatingthe switch means by attraction of the armature means into ,saidpredetermined position; a power circuit for said motor including indexswitch means and a motor-starting connection selectively controlled bysaid control-switch means for starting said motor and stopping the samecooperably with said index switch means to selectively eiiectpredetermined distances of travel of said carrier from an indexposition; and control switchrelease means situated along the path oftravel of said carrier means in a position to be engaged by saidarmature means responsive to a certain angular displacement of thecarrier away from said index position, for moving said armature meansfully out of held attraction by said permanent magnet means and therebyreleasing said control-switch means.

10. A control unit comprising a set of switches mounted on a rotatablecarrier; motor means for rotating said carrier; each of said switchesincluding a movable actuator with a magnetically attractable partexposed for attraction by means extraneous to the carrier whether thelatter be at rest or in motion; relatively stationary electromagnetssituated at selected points along the path of travel of said exposedattractable actuator parts for attraction of any of the latter which aredisposed in the eiTective magnetic field of any of said electromagnets,whereby to actuate the corresponding switch to operated condition;additional magnetic means movable with said carrier for releasablyattracting the attractable parts of the actuator of at least one of saidswitches to hold the same in operated condition as aforesaid duringmovement of the carrier; and relatively stationary switch-releasingmeans situated adjacent the carrier to be engaged by the held actuatorof any operated switch, as aforesaid, for automatically releasing thesame from held condition responsive to movement of the carrier to travelthe held-switch actuator into engagement with said releasing means.

11. A control unit for electrically operated games and the like, andcomprising: a rotatable carrier and means for rotating same; a switch onsaid carrier and including a movable operating member therefor; switchactuating means including stationary magnetic means positionedmagnetically close to the path of travel traced by said switch-operatingmember in rotation of the carrier, and a magnetically attractableactuating part movable with said switch-operating member and exposed forattraction by said magnetic means, when said actuating part is alignedtherewith by movement of the carrier into a certain angular position,whereby said actuating part can be attracted to a predetermined operatedcondition to actuate said switch; further magnetic holding means movablewith the carrier and positioned close to said attractable actuating partof the switch-operating member to exert a releasable holding attractionon the latter in said operated condition thereof for the purpose ofmaintaining said switch in operated condition while the carrier is inmotion following attraction and switch-activation by the stationarymagnetic means as aforesaid; together with switch-release meansincluding a stationary member positioned adjacent the path of travel ofsaid switch to be engaged by a part of said switch-actuating means onthe carrier as a result of rotation of the carrier following actuationand holding of the switch as aforesaid, whereby to move saidmovable-operating member to withdraw said attractable actuating part outof holding relationship with said further magnetic means, to restoresaid switch to nonoperated condition.

12. In a control switch, a bank of contacts, a plurality of contactwipers movable over said contacts, a rotary carrier and means forrotating the same and said wipers jointly; switches on said carrier andhaving a magnetically attractable operating armature and each connectedin a series circuit with one of said wipers; stationary magnetic meanssituated along the path of travel of said armatures with the carrier,and selectively operable to attract any said armature aligned therewithby movement of the carrier whereby to selectively actuate theappertaining switch'as a function of travel of the carrier in aligningthe appertaining armature, as aforesaid; automatically operable holdingmeans on the carrier for releasably holding any of said switches inoperated condition following selective actuation thereof in the manneraforesaid; together with means operating dependently upon angular travelof said carrier, and including a stationary member adjacent the carrierand engaged by attracted armatures moving relative thereto, to forciblywithdraw any such armature from the holding action of said holdingmeans, whereby to release held switches; certain of said contact wipersbeing connected with certain of said switches and adapted forcontrolling desired circuits to be connected through said Wipers andcontacts as a function of the movement of the carrier into predeterminedangular positions.

13. A control unit comprising a set of switches mounted on a rotatablecarrier; motor means for rotating said carrier; electromagnetic means atselected positions along the rotary path of said carrier;switch-operating means including a movable member for each switch andeach having a magnetic armature adapted to be attracted from a normallynon-operated position into a predetermined operated position to move theappertaining movable member and actuate the appertaining switch; saidelectromagnetic means being disposed magnetically close to the path ofsaid armature members for attracting the latter to said operatedposition at times when the travel of the carrier disposes any of saidnon-operated armature members in magnetic alignment with one of saidelectromagnetic means to be attracted if the latter is in an energizedcondition; means on said carrier for releasably holding at least one ofsaid switches in actuated condition, following attraction of theappertaining armature to operated position, as aforesaid, while thecarrier rotates said armature away from said position of magneticalignment following attraction; together with switch-release meansincluding a stationary member adjacent the carrier and line of travel ofsaid switch-operating means and movable operating members thereof forengagement by any of the latter which are held in operated position asaforesaid, whereby to releasably displace same from the said heldcondition; together with rotatable circuit-switching means coupled withsaid carrier for rotation in step therewith, and including contact meansadapted for connection with an instrumentality to be controlled; andcircuit means for selectively energizing said electromagnetic means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName I Date 2,008,479 Warner July 16, 1935 2,118,037 Fischer May 24,1938 2,310,138 Whittaker Feb. 2, 1943 2,427,207 Grieveson Sept. 9, 19472,494,520 Riggen Jan. 10, 1950 2,532,627 Koci Dec. 5, 1950

